The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program (ICAC program) helps state and local law enforcement agencies develop an effective response to technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and Internet crimes against children. This help encompasses forensic and investigative components, training and technical assistance, victim services, and community education.

The program was developed in response to the increasing number of children and teenagers using the Internet, the proliferation of child sexual abuse images available electronically, and heightened online activity by predators seeking unsupervised contact with potential underage victims. OJJDP created the ICAC Task Force Program under the authority of the fiscal year (FY) 1998 Justice Appropriations Act, Public Law 105–119. The Providing Resources, Officers, and Technology to Eradicate Cyber Threats to Our Children Act ("the PROTECT Act") of 2008, (P.L. 110-401, codified at 42 USC 17601, et seq.), authorized the ICAC program through FY 2013.

The ICAC program is a national network of 61 coordinated task forces representing over 3,500 federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies. These agencies are engaged in both proactive and reactive investigations, forensic investigations, and criminal prosecutions. By helping state and local agencies to develop effective, sustainable responses to online child victimization – including responses to the online sharing of child sexual abuse images, OJJDP has increased the capacity of thousands of communities across the country to combat Internet crimes against children. For information on ICAC Task Forces by state, please visit www.icactaskforce.org

Since the ICAC program's inception in 1998, more than 440,000 law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and other professionals have been trained on techniques to investigative and prosecute ICAC related cases.

Since 1998, ICAC Task Forces have reviewed more than 435,000 complaints of alleged child sexual victimization resulting in the arrest of more than 45,000 individuals.

In calendar year 2013, ICAC investigations contributed to the arrests of more than 7,400 individuals and task forces conducted over 60,098 forensic examinations. Additionally, the ICAC program trained over 30,000 law enforcement personnel, over 3,500 prosecutors, and more than 5,300 other professionals working in the ICAC field.

In FY 2013, funding for the ICAC program totaled $25 million to support ICAC task forces and training and technical assistance. ICAC Task Force Program funding is supported under the Missing and Exploited Children appropriation included in the Department of Justice fiscal year appropriation.

The ICAC Training and Technical Assistance Program was established to provide ICAC task forces and their affiliates with the training and technical assistance they need to conduct effective investigations and prosecutions. Training providers include the following:

The National White Collar Crime Center provides training for law enforcement, prosecutors, and other stakeholders in the ICAC program to improve investigative, prosecutorial, and forensic capabilities; create and distribute guidelines, best practices, and investigative methodologies; and coordinate meetings with grantees and practitioners.

The Innocent Justice Foundation provides a comprehensive mental health and wellness program for ICAC task forces to address negative effects and trauma for individuals exposed to child sexual abuse images through their work.

Protecting Children in Cyberspace: The ICAC Task Force ProgramBulletin, January 2002. Discusses efforts by OJJDP's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program that address emerging online threats, such as computer-facilitated sex crimes, directed at children and teenagers. 8 pages. NCJ 191213.Abstract